Foundation of the Abbey 1002 (≈ 1002)
Created by Wardrade Lorichès and Rixendis after pilgrimage.
1015
Consecration of the Abbey
Consecration of the Abbey 1015 (≈ 1015)
By the bishops Grimoard of Angoulême and Iso of Saintes.
1346 et 1434
Pillows during the Hundred Years War
Pillows during the Hundred Years War 1346 et 1434 (≈ 1434)
By the Count of Derby and then the Anglo-Gascons.
1451-1476
Restoration by Henri de Courbon
Restoration by Henri de Courbon 1451-1476 (≈ 1464)
Fortification, abbatial home and rebuilt cloister.
1666
Mauritian reform
Mauritian reform 1666 (≈ 1666)
Affiliation to the congregation of Saint-Maur.
1677-1716
Reconstruction of buildings
Reconstruction of buildings 1677-1716 (≈ 1697)
Works led by Coutareles for Saint-Maur.
1880
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 1880 (≈ 1880)
Protection of the church and the convent buildings.
1947-2012
Occupation by missionary brothers
Occupation by missionary brothers 1947-2012 (≈ 1980)
Restoration and religious life until 2012.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Saint-Etienne church: by order of 10 December 1880 - The entrance building: facades and roofs including the entrance gate; gallery of access to the vaulted cloister of warheads; First floor fireplace. Old cloister area including old gallery floor. Façades and roofs of the three building bodies surrounding the cloister area including the garden terrace of the south wing. East, west and south wing staircase. Hall called woodwork in the south wing. Old prison room with its stone fireplace on the ground floor of the east wing. Former garden of the Monks (cad. E 219 to 221, 223, 225 to 227): classification by decree of 27 June 1983 - Buildings corresponding to the former abbey house and former cellars, with the walls of enclosures and gates, as well as one of the gardens of this abbey (cad. E 222) and the ground of the plots on which these elements are located (cad. E 218, 222, 224, 228-233): inscription by order of 4 December 1995 - The Abbatial house, as well as the ground of the plot on which it is situated (Box E 225): inscription by order of 18 May 2012
Key figures
Wardrade Lorichès - Founder and Count of the Marche
Created the abbey in 1002 with his wife.
Rixendis - Founder and wife of Wardrade
She was buried in the abbey with her husband.
Guillaume de Vibrac - Abbé (1247-1286)
The church was rebuilt in the 13th century.
Henri de Courbon - Abbé (1451-1476)
Restaura and fortified the abbey after 1434.
Frère Jean Lacoste - Conversation Sculptor (end XVIIe)
Author of baroque stalls and altarpieces.
Édouard Warin - Departmental architect (XIXe)
Directed the restoration of 1871.
Origin and history
The Saint-Étienne de Bassac Abbey, located in Bassac, Charente, was founded in 1002 by Wardrade Lorichès, Count of the March and Lord of Jarnac, and his wife Rixendis, upon their return from a pilgrimage to Rome. The charter of foundation, signed in the presence of Guillaume Taillefer, Count of Angoulême, attests to the donation of lands, forests and seigneurial rights. The abbey, dedicated to Our Lady, St Stephen and the Apostles Peter and Paul, was consecrated around 1015 by the bishops Grimoard of Angoulême and Iso of Saintes. It became a prosperous Benedictine monastery, initially led by Abbé Aymard and twenty monks from Saint-Cybard Abbey.
Over the centuries, the abbey experienced tumultuous periods. Attached to the abbey of Saint-Jean-d During the Hundred Years' War, it was plundered twice: in 1346 by the Count of Derby, then in 1434 by the Anglo-Gascon troops, leading to the dispersion of monks and villagers. Father Henri de Courbon (1451-1476) undertook his restoration, strengthening the walls, rebuilding the abbey house and cloistering it. In the 16th century, the Wars of Religion worsened its damage: looted by Protestants in 1564, then besieged by Catholics in 1569 during the Battle of Jarnac.
The 17th century marked a revival under the impetus of dom Étienne and Raymond Hillayret. In 1636, the abbey, then in ruins (cold vaults, destroyed cloister, services celebrated in a side chapel), was affiliated with the Benedictine congregation of Saint Maur in 1666. The reconstruction works, led by architect Coutareles from 1677 to 1716, restored the church, the convent buildings and the sanctuary. The stalls and altarpieces, carved by Brother Jean Lacoste (1699-1700), and the wall decorations completed in 1730 by Girouard and Tournier, make it an exceptional religious furniture set. The French Revolution led to the sale of buildings as national property, transforming the abbey into a parish church.
In the 19th century, architect Edward Warin directed important restorations (1871), replacing the nave capitals with historicist sculptures. In 1947, the Congregation of the Missionary Brothers of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus bought the place, the restaurant until 2012. Classified as a historic monument since 1880, the abbey now combines medieval heritage (Romanesque clocher, Gothic church) and Maurist transformations. Its cloister, destroyed in 1820, and its 17th century convent buildings testify to its architectural and spiritual evolution.
The abbey church, rectangular with a flat bedside, preserves Romanesque (Western portal) and Gothic elements (shaped vaults, flamboyant bays). The bell tower, partially Romanesque, is surmounted by a conical 13th century arrow. The graves of the founders, Wardride and Rixendis, remain under an arch near the jube. The 15th century scalables, added for defense, and baroque retables illustrate the successive adaptations of the monument. In 2015-2016, the abbey hosted a Gate of Mercy as part of the Jubilee proclaimed by Pope Francis.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review